GERHARD
Gerhard
The surname Gerhard has Germanic origins and is thought to have been introduced to England following the Norman Conquest of 1066. It is a variant of the German surname Gerhardt, and its meaning can be traced back to the Old High German elements "ger" which means 'spear' and "hart" which means 'hardy' or 'brave'.
Distribution and Frequency
The surname Gerhard is relatively rare in the British Isles compared to more common surnames but can still be found among British families, particularly in areas with historical connections to Germany.
Notable Bearers
Notable individuals bearing the surname Gerhard include:
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Hans Gerhard Creutzfeldt (1885-1964) - A German neurologist known for his research on brain disorders, including the identification of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.
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Alexander Gerhard - An award-winning British composer known for his contributions to contemporary classical music.
Variants
Variants of the surname Gerhard include Gerhardt and Gerhart, both with similar Germanic linguistic roots.
References
- Reaney, P.H. & Wilson, R.M. A Dictionary of English Surnames. Oxford University Press, 1997.
- Hanks, P. & Hodges, F. A Dictionary of Surnames. Oxford University Press, 1988.
There are approximately 95 people named Gerhard in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around one in a million people in Britain are named Gerhard.